Florida Confirms Its 18th Equine Case of EEE
On Sept. 17, the 2-year-old Quarter Horse mare with an unknown vaccination history presented with clinical signs consisting of fever, depression, head pressing, muscle twitching, and inability to stand. She was humanely euthanized. | Photo: Wikimedia Commons
On Sept. 25, officials at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) confirmed a Putnam County horse with Eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE). On Sept. 17, the 2-year-old Quarter Horse mare with an unknown vaccination history presented with clinical signs consisting of fever, depression, head pressing, muscle twitching, and inability to stand. She was humanely euthanized.

This is Florida’s 18th confirmed case of EEE in an equine in Florida for 2020.

EEE 101

Eastern equine encephalomyelitis is caused by the Eastern equine encephalitis virus, for which wild birds are a natural reservoir. Mosquitoes that feed on EEE-infected birds can transmit the virus to humans, horses, and other birds. Horses do not develop high enough levels of these viruses in their blood to be contagious to other animals or humans. Because of the high mortality rate in horses and humans, EEE is regarded as one of the most serious mosquito-borne diseases in the United States.

Administering Vaccine; vaccines for show horses

Create a free account with TheHorse.com to view this content.